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Would the Galaxy Note be a good choice for me?

C

C h r i s

Newbie
Alright, so I'm a complete Android noob and I've been looking to get into this OS, so I'm planning to get an Android device. Right now, I own an iPad and iPhone, so I'm looking for something in between. The Nexus 7 looks good to me, but the small amount of storage and the lack of expandable storage are not too appealing. So I've been looking at the Galaxy Note to be used as a mini tablet; not as a phone.

I believe the Galaxy Note is shipped with Android 2.3, but I'm hoping to run it on at least ICS. So is it easy to update it to ICS (or JB)? And are these versions stable?

Oh, and I saw the thread about the Galaxy Note 2 coming out in September/October-ish, so would it be better for me to wait for that? I only plan to use the Note for music, videos, books, web browsing, mail, twitter, and even maps if it's possible to use without a SIM card inserted.
 
The note is the best phone out there IMO. You're wanting it as a mini tablet and that's exactly what I use it for. I also own a laptop but never use my laptop for things like facebook/twitter and all the usual things because the note's huge screen is perfect for things like this AND it has the addition of being able to make calls/texts. I'm running Android 4.0.4 which is the latest ICS update and it's great!

Thought about getting an iPhone myself but I hate how small it is, oh and I wouldn't bother with the Note 2, it's going to be narrower and will only include a few 'better' things. Rumours have it that it'll be the same as the S3 but bigger.
 
JoshShepherd said:
The note is the best phone out there IMO. You're wanting it as a mini tablet and that's exactly what I use it for. I also own a laptop but never use my laptop for things like facebook/twitter and all the usual things because the note's huge screen is perfect for things like this AND it has the addition of being able to make calls/texts. I'm running Android 4.0.4 which is the latest ICS update and it's great!

Thought about getting an iPhone myself but I hate how small it is, oh and I wouldn't bother with the Note 2, it's going to be narrower and will only include a few 'better' things. Rumours have it that it'll be the same as the S3 but bigger.
Click to expand...

Thanks! About the Note 2 being narrower, is that official or just rumors? Also, can you officially update to 4.0.4 or do you have to use something like Cyanogen Mod? Sorry if these questions are dumb, I know almost nothing about Android :P
 
Do you need Note 2?

Depends really - if you need the fastest and newest device.

I came from an iPhone 1, and aside from the nicer screen and S-Pen, the Note does nothing more for me than my iPhone 1.

Just saying that if you don't need the best and fastest, I think the original Note will be fine. And cheaper.

I have read in these forums people who say they just bought theres and it already has 4.0.3 on it.

If not, just upgrade over wi-fi or through desktop software.

I also have an iPad like you, and the Note hasn't replaced it at all for me. But I mainly game on the iPad.

However for some games, I have to admit I use mostly the Note because I really like using the S-Pen instead of my fingers.
 
McGilli said:
Do you need Note 2?

Depends really - if you need the fastest and newest device.

I came from an iPhone 1, and aside from the nicer screen and S-Pen, the Note does nothing more for me than my iPhone 1.

Just saying that if you don't need the best and fastest, I think the original Note will be fine. And cheaper.

I have read in these forums people who say they just bought theres and it already has 4.0.3 on it.

If not, just upgrade over wi-fi or through desktop software.

I also have an iPad like you, and the Note hasn't replaced it at all for me. But I mainly game on the iPad.

However for some games, I have to admit I use mostly the Note because I really like using the S-Pen instead of my fingers.
Click to expand...

Okay cool. But hypothetically, if Android 5.0 doesn't officially support the Note 1 (meaning, I won't be able to update to it via wifi), there's still that possibility of updating to it through something like Cyanogen Mod (if they decide to port it), right? Of course, it may be buggy and stuff, but it's possible?

And yea, I'm definitely not getting it to replace my iPad. Just going to get it to bring around whenever I need a bigger screen and feel too lazy to bring my iPad with me :P
 
I would say, Yes.. Get it!!
Of course there is always a but, I have upgraded from Android 2.3 to 4.0 And that seemes to be a huuuuge mistake :(
Phone is lagging, sometimes the phone is freezing and I cant do anything at all.. But the worst of all, Battery time has been reduced to 1/10. I have to charge my phone 2-3 times a day. Keayboard settings is somewhat better.. But what does that do when you hardly can't use your phone?
 
I would say without a doubt it is a great device. I don't use it as a phone but I do have a pay as you go sim in it for emergencies.

I use it as a mini tablet more than anything and it is good for that. I have an iPad and to me this is just as good but far more portable. The kindle app is brilliant and I've got all my music and photo's on it. I was surprised at the sound quality - much better than my Zen.

It takes reasonable photo's and video and the TV connector is cheap compared to Apple.

I know others have had problems with ics but it has worked well for me I get about 24 - 30 hours between charges with wifi on all the time. If you get an unlocked one (which is what I did) the ics update came about a month ago for me. Chances are this will be the last version of Android on this device but it works well.

Maybe waiting for the note 2 to come out would be wise as the price of the original note will likely drop making it a bargain.:D

Cheers,

JCH
 
AS far as upgrading the OS down the road....

This is probably the one thing that I think the Android software community has that's really special. With all the custom OS mods and the sort, I believe that as long as Google doesn't implement some kind of crazy hardware restrictions in future OS's - These phones - especially the Note have a long life ahead of it.

I am still on 2.3.6 only because it does what I want and I am happy with it.

But I am rooted, and could try any of the mods at any time....

And one day I will. If you love to mess with that kind of stuff, then the Note is great.

If you haven't already, here is a site I really like for info on all this stuff.

RootGalaxyNote.com - Your Source for Galaxy Note Root!

He tries many of the mods and posts videos on how to install them etc....

BTW _ CM10 JELLY BEAN is now available for the Note - check his site!
 
McGilli said:
AS far as upgrading the OS down the road....

This is probably the one thing that I think the Android software community has that's really special. With all the custom OS mods and the sort, I believe that as long as Google doesn't implement some kind of crazy hardware restrictions in future OS's - These phones - especially the Note have a long life ahead of it.

I am still on 2.3.6 only because it does what I want and I am happy with it.

But I am rooted, and could try any of the mods at any time....

And one day I will. If you love to mess with that kind of stuff, then the Note is great.

If you haven't already, here is a site I really like for info on all this stuff.

RootGalaxyNote.com - Your Source for Galaxy Note Root!

He tries many of the mods and posts videos on how to install them etc....

BTW _ CM10 JELLY BEAN is now available for the Note - check his site!
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks a lot!
 
In reply regarding upgrading to ICS etc, I have upgraded via the excellent Rootgalaxynote.com site first to Root my note then trying out many different Roms, finally settling for the moment on the Criskelo latest rom. Each one has been a fun experience with no major glitches as long as you start from a clean state, ie clear caches, etc, before applying the Rom. All instructions are on the site.

Actually there's nothing much wrong with Gingerbread, per se, but I specifically sought to update to ICS because of the lousy copy and paste on GB. MUCH improved on ICS (perfect?).

I think the note is a great device, and I, like many others, use it as a tablet first and foremost, and have another android device, a Sony Xperia Arc S, as my actual phone and for sms's.

I use the Note for emails, web use for work, whatsapp and skype, videos, music and photos.I have been archiving 1000's of family photos from the last 20 years or so on there, and it's wonderful to have this repository with me all the time and using the screen to its full potential.

Likewise for music, having the albums with high quality album art makes a huge difference.

Battery life is fine, lasting 8-10hrs of moderate to heavy use and I think the people who complain of extremely poor battery life and/or glitchy , laggy performance after upgrading to ICS may want to consider reinstalling.

Recommended softwares; Quickpic, Business Calendar, or S Planner, K9 email, Mort Audio player, Player Pro.

And its surprising how much I use S Note with the S Pen to take quick notes down or lists, or telephone numbers.

I know the Iphone is an excellent device, but I have always shied away from the Apple devices specifically because of Itunes and the interface it insists upon. Give me drag and drop any day :-D

Re the Note 2, I would not hesitate to get the Note 1, as it is a truly excellent, polished, device in it's own right. I have no "gadget lust" to get an S3 for example, and many custom roms offer now the features of the S3 for the Note, in any case.

The only thing I would say, is that the device could actually be a little larger, ie larger screen and still be (just) pocketable. I think 6 inches or perhaps 6.2 inches would be a feasible proposition.
 
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